An Arkansas woman faces felony theft charges after her employer accidentally paid her $1,650 per hour instead of $16.50 and she refused to return the nearly $20,000 windfall, spending the money despite repeated demands for repayment.
The Payroll Error That Changed Everything
Rene Nichole Coleman, 50, worked as a caregiver for Superior Senior Care in Jonesboro, earning $16.50 hourly. A payroll system glitch multiplied her rate by 100, sending her wages skyrocketing to $1,650 per hour for a single 12-hour shift. The error deposited $19,800 into Coleman’s account before the in-home care company discovered the mistake. When Superior Senior Care contacted Coleman demanding repayment and providing documentation of the error, she allegedly refused to return the funds.
NEW: Arkansas woman charged after refusing to return nearly $20,000 her employer accidentally paid her in a payroll glitch
Rene Nichole Coleman, 50, is facing a felony theft charge after being mistakenly paid $1,650 an hour for a 12-hour shift instead of $16.50
The payment… https://t.co/qHeEu7Wf39 pic.twitter.com/VjaurUowqK
— Unlimited L's (@unlimited_ls) April 11, 2026
Money Spent, Promises Broken
Coleman told her employer she had already spent the entire amount repairing her husband’s semi-truck. Superior Senior Care filed a theft report with Jonesboro police, backing their claim with financial records and email correspondence. A detective contacted Coleman by phone, and she agreed to come in for questioning about the situation. She never appeared for that scheduled meeting, according to the police affidavit. Craighead County District Judge David Boling formally charged Coleman on April 6 with theft involving between $5,000 and $25,000, classified as a Class C felony under Arkansas law.
Arrest and Admission
Police issued a warrant for Coleman’s arrest on the felony theft charge. She was finally taken into custody on April 6, though authorities told KAIT television that the arrest occurred on a separate outstanding warrant. After her arrest, Coleman waived her right to legal counsel and spoke with officers. During questioning, she admitted she did not pay attention and spent the money. Coleman also claimed she later attempted to offer repayment to her former employer, though police records do not detail any formal repayment arrangement.
Legal Consequences Ahead
Coleman’s bond was set at $15,000, and she is scheduled for court appearance on May 18. State records as of April 10 did not show her in custody. The case highlights the legal principle that accidentally receiving money does not create ownership rights. Under Arkansas law, a Class C felony theft conviction carries potential penalties of three to ten years imprisonment and fines up to $10,000. The outcome will depend on whether prosecutors can prove Coleman knowingly retained property that did not belong to her after being notified of the error.